Nectarine tree

ABSTRACT

An improved nectarine tree originating as a bud mutation of Stark &#34;Red Gold&#34;. This new variety produces freestone fruit the skin of which is a full deep red when fully ripe and which is mottled with yellow in the ripening stages, full ripeness occurring some two to three days earlier than the fruit of the parent variety.

BACKGROUND

This invention or discovery relates to a new and distinct variety ofnectarine tree which bears yellow-fleshed freestone fruit having a deepred skin color when fully ripe and which is mottled with yellow duringthe ripening stages. This new variety is of the type embraced by groupIII of the classification of Callavet and Souty, Monographic desPrincipals Varietes de Pechers, 1950 edition, page 46. This new varietyoriginated as a bud mutation of Stark "Red Gold" in the applicant'sorchard located near Wapato, Wash. and has been asexually reproduced atsaid location by topworking of mature orchard trees so as to establishthe genetic stability of the new variety through successive generations.

As compared with Sun Grand (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 974) has leaves withreniform instead of globose glands and bears fruit which is larger insize, ripens approximately ten days earlier and has less red exteriorcolor during the ripening stages. It ripens some two to three daysearlier than its parent "Red Gold" which it otherwise resembles in mostrespects other than the deeper red and more uniform red color of thefruit at full ripeness of the new variety as compared with the parentvariety.

DRAWING

The photographic print depicts a branch of the new variety with fruitapproaching full ripeness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Leaves of the new variety tend to be slightly lighter in color thanthose of "Red Gold" and slightly more folded in form.

The following outline of characteristics applies to the new variety, themajor color plate identifications being reference to Maerz and PaulDictionary of Color, except where common terms of color definition areemployed.

Tree:

Size.--Large to medium.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Production.--Productive.

Bearing.--Regular bearer.

Leaves:

Size.--Stocky to medium.

Thickness.--Thick to medium.

Margin.--Glandular; crenate.

Petiole.--Medium length; medium thickness.

Glands.--Large to medium; reinform. Position -- usually two on petioleand two or more on blade.

Color:

Top size.--Medium green (22-L-6 to 22-L-8).

Undersize.--Lighter green (21-K-6).

Flowers: Blooming period (1978).

Date of first bloom.--April 7.

Date of full bloom.--April 15. Medium as compared with other varieties.

Size.--Large.

Type.--Showy.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Eating ripe -- Aug. 15, 1978.

Date of first picking.--Aug. 10, 1978.

Date of last picking.--Aug. 14, 1978.

Size: Variable.

Average diameter axially.--25/8".

Average transversely in suture plane.--2 -7/16".

Form: Variable; symmetrical; globose to oblong.

Suture: Distinct; extends from base to apex, with slight depressionbeyond pistil point.

Cavity: Rounded, deep.

Base: Rounded.

Apex: Short.

Skin:

Thickness.--Thick to medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Tendency to crack.--None noted.

Color.--Red (5-1-12) when ripe and during ripening the red being mottledwith yellow (10-L-3) shading to orange-yellow (9-k 8 to 10-L-12).

Flesh:

Texture.--Medium; crisp; melting.

Ripens.--Even.

Flavor.--Subacid; delicate.

Eating quality.--Good. Excellent when fully mature.

Color.--Yellow (9-1-2 shading to 9-J-5), with considerable red (3-L-3)adjacent to stone; the surface of the pit cavity being red with yellowfibers.

Stone:

Type.--Free.

Size.--Medium.

Form.--Oblong.

Apex.--Acute.

Sides.--Equal.

Ridges.--Jagged.

Pits.--Elongated.

Ventral edge.--Thin.

Dorsal edge.--Full.

Tendency to split.--Slight.

Color.--Brown (5-A-12).

Use: Market.

Keeping quality.--Good.

Shipping quality.--Good.

The tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due toclimatic and soil conditions under which the variety may be grown, thepresent description applying to the variety as grown in the lower YakimaValley of Washington.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree similar to itsparent Stark "Red Gold" except for the darker redder color of the fruitskin and the slightly earlier maturation of the fruit, together with thetendency for the leaves to be slightly lighter in color than those ofthe parent and slightly more folded in form as shown and described.